We're looking for upstanding, service-minded individuals who care about cultivating progress and common sense policies as Democrats in upcoming elections. Are you interested in running for any office? Here are the filing periods for Catawba County offices up for election. Be sure to become involved in the Catawba County Democrats for key guidance, support and encouragement!

Conover, NC: A full room of inspired supporters greeted Gov. Roy Cooper this past Friday evening during a visit to Catawba County as he spoke to his Break the Majority initiative.

Members and supporters of the Catawba County Democrats joined Gov. Cooper at Rock Barn Country Club to discuss the initiative and encouragement of reinforcement at the local levels.

Cooper is traveling across the state as his schedule permits to raise awareness and funds in an effort to quell the Republican super-majority in the House and Senate, which was largely won when legislative districts were redrawn in 2010. Many of these districts have since been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and are currently being reviewed by a special three-judge panel in North Carolina.

Hickory resident John Pope was greatly instrumental in facilitating the resoundingly successful event for the county. The North Carolina Democratic Party reached out to Pope to assist them in raising funds to help sustain the governor’s veto power by helping place more Democrats in the state legislature.

“I felt that it was important since the state elected him as our leader. And right now the legislature has attempted to strip him of every power they can,” explained Pope. “We need to give him an opportunity to govern first. I felt this was important to sustain him in that opportunity, and to be able do so with his full authority.”

Gov. Cooper stressed that the 2018 election will be a key component in breaking the Republican hold, when the vote of every concerned citizen will be of utmost importance, especially for a mid-term election when voter turnout is historically underwhelming.

More than just a political rally, Gov. Cooper spoke to the core values of his term of office.

“As governor, this is my mission statement for North Carolina. I want a North Carolina where people are better educated, where they’re healthier, where they have more money in their pockets, and they have the opportunities to live a more abundant and purposeful life. That’s what I want.”

This week our Congressman, Patrick McHenry announced his 2017 Town Hall meeting schedule. He will be in Hickory on Wednesday, August 16 at 2 p.m. at his district office (1990 Main Avenue, SE, Hickory, NC 28603)

As Democrats in his district, it is our duty to show up and make our voices heard by a man that "represents" us in Congress. Not sure what to say? Ask about what's important to you, share what keeps you up at night, or ask one of the questions below:

How does Congress manage the reckless and dangerous behavior of the chief executive on the international stage?

How does he explain his vote to strip health insurance from thousands of his constituents?

What support is he advocating to combat the opioid crises rampant in his district?

How does he continue to support a President in his own party who routinely attacks the character and political future of representatives and senators within his own party- how does he explain this irrationality?

What is the Congressman doing to ensure the Special Counsel’s investigation into the 2016 elections is unimpeded?

You can purchase your tickets to 2017 Century Club by visiting the "Donate" page and making a donation. After you have completed your payment, please send an email to Eli Glynn at elig0813@gmail.com. You may also send checks made payable to the Catawba County Democratic Party to 1610 Tate Blvd SE, Hickory, NC 28602. Please write "Century Club" in the memo line.

The Century Club Committee is thrilled to announce that our caterer for our August 27 event will be one of North Carolina’s top chefs, Cassie Parsons of the Harvest Moon Grille. The Harvest Moon name is well-known and beloved to foodies in the Charlotte area. Fans have followed Cassie and the Grille from its start as a food truck, to its location in the Dunhill Hotel in downtown Charlotte, and now to its new location in downtown Lincolnton. Cassie, along with her partner, Natalie Veres, are the co-owners of Grateful Growers Farm; they have been pioneers and leaders in the local, sustainable food movement in NC. Among Cassie’s many honors are 2012 Restauranteur of the Year in Charlotte Magazine; 2012 Global Green’s Citizen Entrepreneur of the Year; and 2013 winner in the Food Category for Sustain Charlotte. Cassie has spoken on food and sustainability for TEDeX. In 2013, she was selected by the US State Department as a culinary ambassador to Slovenia. Recently, she debated Senator Jeff Jackson on the topic of "Transparency" as it pertains to laws and sausage making.

With all the energy in the Democratic Party – we are setting records for interest and involvement – this is the time to consider running for office. 2017 is especially the year to think about local involvement. There are a number of municipal and school board offices on the 2017 ballot, including Conover, Hickory, Maiden and Newton city councilors, Hickory and Maiden mayors, and school board members for Hickory and Newton-Conover schools.

If you were elected at the Catawba County Democratic Party Convention in May as a delegate to the District 10 Convention, it's coming up soon! Please find details about the Convention after the jump. We hope you will make plans to join us and fellow Democrats from the District on May 20.